Padding for dry cleaner steam presses



Jan. 30, 1951 v c. G. YouNa ETAL 2,539,714

PADDING FOR -DRY CLEANER STEAM PRESSES Filed NOV. 21, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS HRLES G. YOU/VG ELME? C. HOLLE Jan. 30,` 1951 c, G. YOUNG x-:rAL 2,539,714

PADDING FOR DRY CLEANER STEAM PRESSES Filed Nov. 21, 1949 2 sheets-sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 30, 1951 UNITED STATES orFlC-E PADDING FSR DRY CLEANER STEAM PRESSES Charles G. Young, San Mateo, and Elmer C. Holler, San Francisco, Calif., assignors to Patek & gCo'., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of Cali- This invention relates to press padding, andA more particularly to padding adapted forV covering dry cleaner steam buck presses, such as those employed for the pressing of .suits or other similar cloth articles.

In the pressing of articles on dry cleaner steam b uck presses, particularly in commercial establishments, the padding employed on the press buck is very important in determining the `quality of work. To effect smooth nished work :without wrinkles ,or 4impressions and free Yfrom shine .it important that the padding have a proper degree of resiliency. At the same time, gtorreasons of economy, it is desirable that thc .padding be of such material as to maintain its Aresiliencyover a long time and be able to withstand themoisture andthe relatively high tem,- .peratures encountered in such steam pressing operations.

` Material such as cotton, heretofore employed vfor thedescribed purposes loses itsY resiliencyA and .life fast, land consequently has to be renewed frequently. Furthermore, it does not provide all ithe.resiliencydesired,and as a result the 'nish ofthe pressed goods isoften marred bywrinkles or cimpressions left by buttons .or the like.

v,Su-mmariaing this invention, it embodies .the principle of construction which is .disclosed and claimed generically in assignees .copending application, Serial No. 128,572, filed November V21, 1,949, by the ,sa-me inventors, for Padding for Bresses orthe like. As is fpointed out in such application, the padding comprisesan inner flannel layer of .highly heat, moisture and steam resistant, and resilientsynthetic ber having a `napside facing outwardly, preferablyintheform of relatively thickdouble faced flannel (i. e., a combed .out ,nap oneach face or side extending vfrom an intermediate woven portion), a layer of .like material in the form of .a single-faced flannel (i. e., .acombedout nap on only one face `or side extending from anexposed woven portion) overlying the inner flannel layer with thelexposed--woven face or side, or in other words thauncombed face of the single faced flannel, outermost and its nap side facing the nap side of the inner layer, and a nely woven relatively thin smooth finished cover of the same material over the single faced flannel.

Eorthe particulary purpose which the padding ofthe present invention is adapted, a relatively softrrubber layer, vof ypreferably porous sponge rubbenjis interposed between the double faced flannel and the single faced flannel to/provide for added resiliency; and the sponge rubber layer-andthe double faced-flannel are preferably secured together with an asbestos guard in the form of a composite laminated sheet, for ease of assembly.

All of the layers of the padding are tightly bound over the press buck to provide a smooth, highly resilient and heat and moisture resistant padding which because of such resiliency sets the creases in the pressed article Without causing breakage of articles such as buttons or the like, without leaving impressions of such buttons, and enables the article to be pressed free from shinewhich otherwise results from too hard a supporting foundation for the article.

Nylon is the synthetic fibrous material which has been found most suitable for the described purpose, although any other synthetic ber hav-Y ing the above described physical vproperties can be employed. So-called rayon ber is not suitable because of its lack of heat resistance; and in this connection, the preferred nylon fiber should be virgin nylon, as regenerated nylon ber is not heat resistant to the extent required in the pressing operation.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig.` l is a perspective view of a press buck with portions of the padding of this invention lifted vtherefrom in exposed relationship to illusitrate the construction;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view of the press buck and the padding thereof;

Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 provide an exploded View illustrating the padding structure with the elements thereof in the order on which they are arranged on the buck. In such figures:

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional perspective of the cover of the padding;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional perspective of the outer single faced nylon flannel layer;

Fig, 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional perspective of the composite laminated sheet co'mprising a lower asbestos sheet, the inner double faced flannel sheet, and an overlying spongev steambuck pressing machine. Over the top of,

the buck is `placed Va removably mounted metal screen 4 of copper or brass and of about 35' to asf-:arri

50 mesh, which is commonly employed on steam bucks for the purpose of diffusing the steam over the entire surface of the buck. It will be noted that this metal screen is of a configuration substantially congruent to the top of the buck soy that it extends only over the area defined by perforations 3.

As is more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 5,'the first unit of the padding of the invention comprises a laminated sheet formed of an asbestos sheet 6 of relatively open weave, about l2 per inch, which is stitched by stitching 'I of virgin nylon ber to an inner double faced virgin nylon flannel sheet 8, in turn adhesively united by any suitable heat and moisture resistant adhesive 9, such as latex cement, over the line of stitching to a relatively thick layer II of relatively soft rubber, preferably porous sponge rubber of about 1/2 inch thick. Stitching l extends all along and adjacent the edge of the double faced flannel layer 8. It is desirable that stitching 'I be of virgin nylon ber because it enhances the life of the pad; as stitching of other fiber may not be able to withstand the moisture and the relatively high pressing temperatures.

It will be noted that asbestos sheet 5, which serves as a guard to protect the padding from scorching and also serves to radiate even flow of heat from the buck, is larger than sheets 8 and II, so as to provide a free marginal edge portion I I about its entire periphery to t smoothly over the sides of the buck as shown in Fig. 2; whilev sheets 8 and II of the padding are substantially congruent and 0f a size, adapted to cover substantially the top of the buck. This provides for smoothness. The edge of the asbestos sheet it is piped with suitable piping I2 to prevent fraying; and as this piping is not subjected to the extensive heat from the steam of the buck, it may be of cotton.

The preferred double faced inner flannel sheet; 8 provides a desirable element of the padding obtaining the desired resiliency, and as is well known it consists of an intermediate woven perm tion I3 with a nap I3 combed out from each or face thereof. Although such double faced flannel is desirable .for enhanced resiliency, it. may be formed of a pair or even more of faced flannel sheets of the material described.v arranged so that a nap side will face outwardly as is the case with respect to the double faced flannel layer.

Spongerubber layer II provides added resiliency which is important in obtaining a smooth finish on the goods, and is of any suitable type .l

adapted to withstand the heat and moisture encountered in the press. In this connection, the virgin nylon material employed is particularly capable of withstanding such heat and moisture, thus making for long life, and at the same time.- obviating soggy padding which impedes the pressing operation. The composite laminated sheet may be made as separate sheets but the formation of a unitary sheet of the character described,

provides ease of assembly thereof on the steamA i 4 posite or laminated sheet, it is important that the nap side I6 be faced inwardly toward an outwardly facing nap on one side of the double faced flannel sheet 8, with the finely woven smooth side I5 of sheet I4 outermost. Such arrangement provides a smooth finish at the top to enhance smoothness of pressing; and at the same time enhances the resiliency which is provided by the facing nap sides I3 and I6 and the interposed rubber layer II, such resiliency being important for' the pressing operation. In this connection, although opposed nap sides I3 and I6 will provide the requisite resiliency in many pressing operations, the interposed rubber layer II is desirable for steam bucks because of the high pressures encountered in such type of machine. It is preferred to place the rubber layer II between the synthetic fibrous sheets to shield such rubber from the direct action of the steam.

Single faced flannel sheet I f3 could be secured to the previously described laminated sheet to provide a composite unit therewith, but it is preferred not to do so to avoid any lumps that might occur in such securing. Also, in wear of the padding, the single faced flannel` sheet I4 should it wear out first, can be more readily replaced.

The flannel sheets may be of any suitable weight available on the market. Most desirable weights range from 10 oz. to 33 oz. per square yard.

For all practical purposes, a single layer 8 of the double faced flannel and a single layer I4 of the single faced iiannel will suf-lice. However, more than one layer of each of these materials may be employed for added resiliency. In such event, it is important that the relatively smooth finely woven Side I5 of the overlying single faced flannel be outermost to obtain the requ site smoothness, and that a nap side of the inner flannel layer face outwardly.

The final element of the padding of the invention consists of a cover sheet I'I, also of virgin nylon material and which has only a relatively ne weave so that both sides thereof have a relatively smooth finish. Such weave is preferably a twill weave but it may be a plain weave or any other type of fine weave which will provide a smooth finish. A suitable weight for cover I1 is between 3 oz. to 7 oz. per sq. yard.

Cover sheet I'I is provided with a skirt portion I8 adapted to t around the sides of the buck. Adjacent its outer edge, skirt portion I8 is provided with a hem I9 in which may be a draw string 2I, thus providing means for securing the entire padding tightly to the buck. If desired, springs 22 may be connected between opposite portions of the hem ,to enhance securing of the cover, and a metal rod or the like can be used to which the springs may be connected.

Skirt portion I8 could be made of the same material as the remainder of the cover I'I but it is preferred to employ cotton as the material for the skirt, stitched to the nylon top of cover I'I. This is so because cotton is more flexible than the nylon, and when the skirt is tightened about the buck, it therefore provides better hugging qualities, thus obviating possible wrinkle formation in the top of the cover.

From the preceding description, it is seen that the padding of my invention provides extreme resiliency to effect smooth pressing, and at the same time it is sufficiently porous to permit effective penetration of the steam into the goods being pressed, and also efficacious functioning of the vacuum in the pressing operation. Because of the high heat and moisture resistance of the material employed in the padding, it has the life of 30 to 35 times that of cotton padding heretofore employed for similar purposes. Therefore, although more expensive than cotton padding, it is more economical in the long run.

We claim:

1. Padding for a dry cleaner steam press comprising an inner layer of resilient and heat and moisture resistant synthetic fibrous material ofv4 flannel having a nap side facing outwardly, a relatively soft rubber layer over said inner flannel layer, a layer of single faced flannel of said synthetic fibrous material over said rubber layer, and a relatively finely woven cover of said synthetic brous material.

2. Padding for a dry cleaner steam press comprising an inner layer of resilient and heat and moisture resistant synthetic brous material of flannel having a nap side facing outwardly, a relatively soft rubber layer over said inner annel layer, a layer of single faced annel of said synthetic fibrous material over said rubber layer having its nap side facing said inner layer and its woven side outermost with respect to said inner layer, and a relatively nely woven cover of said synthetic brous material.

3. Padding for a dry cleaner. stern press comprising an asbestos guard sheet adapted to overlie the press buck, an inner layer of nylon flannel over said asbestos guard sheet, a relatively soft rubber layer over said inner flannel layer, a layer of single faced nylon flannel over said rubber layer having its nap side facing said inner layer and its Woven side outermost with respect to said inner layer, and a relatively finely woven nylon cover.

4. Padding for a dry cleaner steam press comprising an asbestos guard sheet adapted to overlie the top and the sides of a press buck, an inner layer of nylon flannel over and secured to said asbestos guard sheet, said inner flannel layer being of smaller size than said asbestos guard sheet to provide a free marginal edge portion about the entire periphery of said asbestos guard sheet which portion is adapted to extend over the sides of the buck, a relatively soft rubber layer congruent to and over said inner annel layer and secured to said inner flannel layer,

a layer of single faced nylon annel congruent to and over said rubber layer having its nap side facing said inner layer and its woven side outermoet with respect to said inner layer, and a relatively finely woven nylon cover.

5. Padding for a dry cleaner steam press comprising an asbestos guard sheet adapted to over-n lie the top and the sides of a press buck, an inner layer of double faced nylon flannel over and stitched to said asbestos guard sheet all along and adjacent the edge of said double faced flannel layer, said double faced flannel layer being of smaller size than said asbestos guard sheet to provide a free marginal edge portion about the entire periphery of said asbestos guard sheet which portion is adapted to extend over the sides of the buck, a relatively soft rubber layer congruent to and over said double faced flannel layer and adhesively united to said double faced layer along the line of stitching between said double faced layer and said asbestos guard sheet, a layer of single faced nylon flannel congruent to and over said rubber layer free of attachment therewith and having its nap side facing said double faced layer and its woven side outermost with respect t0 said double faced layer, and a relatively finely woven nylon cover.

6. The construction of claim 5 including a perforated metal screen adapted to underlie the asbestos guard sheet.

7. The construction of claim 5 in which the nylon cover is provided with a skirt portion adapted to overlie the sides of the buck and provide a means for securing the padding to said buck.

8. The construction of claim 7 in which said skirt portion is of cotton.

CHARLES G. YOUNG. ELMER C. HOLLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,666,870 Beck Apr. 17, 1928 2,482,412 Gershon Sept. 20, 1949 

